Agenda: Entrance Ticket D-Day Notes Video Clip Primary Document Analysis Target: Students can analyze Dwight D. Eisenhower’s style, motivation, and leadership ability by studying D-Day and his writings to US soldiers
With a partner, make a list of all names, dates, locations, and any other terms you associate with the D-Day invasion
June 6, 1944
United States Britain Canada VS. Germany
In the days leading up to the main invasion, Allied planes bombed the Atlantic Wall defenses all along the coast of France Pictures of Allied bombing damage at Pointe du Hoc, France
The night before the invasion, Allied troops parachuted behind enemy lines in France They tried to destroy railroad lines and disrupt communication General Eisenhower speaking to airborne troops on the evening before the invasion
Gen. George Patton was in charge of a fake army to distract the German’s from the true location of the invasion
On June 6, 1944 more than 150,000 Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel They attacked the German military along a 60 mile stretch of the coast in Normandy, France. US troops in a Higgins landing craft approaching the coast of Normandy
British, American, and Canadian troops sailed from different ports in Great Britain and attacked the Germans together on five different beaches in Normandy, France
Soldiers faced intense opposition from the Germans when they landed
Many men were killed or injured before they even reached the beaches US troops take shelter behind German “hedgehogs.” The obstacles were designed to prevent Allied landing craft from getting too close to the shores of France.
The Allies wanted to free France from German control They had to first conquer the coast of France so that they could then liberate western Europe and defeat Hitler
D-Day was the beginning of the end of the war in Europe The Allies were able to liberate France from German control after several months of fighting
1. Who is Eisenhower addressing in his Order of the Day? 2. What words and phrases does Eisenhower use to convey the idea of teamwork? 3. If he is trying to motivate the troops, why does he say, “Your task will not be an easy one”? 4. What is the importance of honesty in communication? 5. What historical information about WWII can you learn from studying this document?
6. After reading Eisenhower’s D-Day failure message, describe his concept of taking responsibility. 7. Why do you think Eisenhower gives so little information about the attempted invasion? 8. What historical information about D-Day can you learn from studying this document? 9. Describe Eisenhower’s personality based solely on these two documents. 10. What other primary sources of information would you want to have to create a fuller description of Eisenhower?